Clothespin machine



Dec. 8, 1925.

H. J. KAHRS ET AL CLOTHESPIN MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Feb, l2.1925 Dec. 8 1925.

H. J. KAHRS ET AL cLoTHEsPIN MACHINE Fild Feb. 12.

6 Sheets-She''b 4 Dec. 8, 1925. 1,564,576

H. J. KAHRS ET AL CLOTHESPIN MACHINE Filed Feb. 12, 1925 6 Sheets-Sheet5 E' .26. I' .IZ ,Fi ll W INVENTOR5 29 v Pe ler 5c Weider.

A ORNEYS Dee. 8, 1925. 1.564.576

.H. J. KAHRS ET AL CLOTHESPI N MACHINE Filed Feb. l2, 1925. 6Sheets-She`6t s INVENTOR5 n Henry/J' /fahrs 7 Christ/'an Bodri C Peier ESchneiden ATTORNEYS' Patented Dec. 8, 1925.

UNITED srarss earner erstes.

HENRY J. KAI-IRS, OF NEW YORK, AND CHRISTIAN BODRI AND PETER E.SCHNEIDER,

OF RICHMOND HILL, NEW YORK.

CLOTHESPIN MACHINE.

Application filed February 12, 1925. Serial No. 8,684.

Re it known that we, llnNar J. Kai-ins, citizen of the United States,and resident oit' the borough and county of Bronx, city and State ot NewYork, zincl-Cii1'iisTIAN Benni and Parnu E. SCiiNmnnn, citizens of theUnited States, and residents ot.' Richmond Hill, in the borough andcounty oi Queens, city and State of New York, have invented certain newand useful Improvements in Clothespin Machines, of which the followingis a specilication.

Our improvement relates more particularly to an improved clothespinmachine, more particularly adapted 'I'or the commercial manufacture ofclothespins, ol? a new type, having inwardly extending resilient tongueson the legs of the clothespins, formed by and between the central kerfand reverse kerls at each side ol the central kerl. This style ot'clothespin is more particularly shown and described in Patent No.1,274,236 of Julyg-io, 191s.

The primary object of our present .invention is to provide acomparatively simple machine for manufacturing clothespins ot this type,which can be operated at such a rate of output as will insure a uniformand satisfactory product, which can be sold at a reasonable price.

One ditliculty met with in 1nanufacturing` clothespins ot' the typereferred to, has been in symmetrically and reliably cutting the reversekert's which form the spring tongues in the legs oi the pins, andproduce a substantially uniform product and, therefore, a tnrthcr objectof our improvement is to provide lor widening the central kerl at thecrotch thereof, by means of a breach, so as to provide suitableshoulders, such as will enable the reverse kei-fs to be readily startedby the entering narrow ends oit' tapering longitudinally extending sawblades, provided 'for cutting the reverse kerfs.

.-1 further object is to provide continuously moving pushers for movinga series ot' clothespin blanks, in a continuous line through themachine, so that the successive blanks are operated upon first to cutthe central kert. then to broach the crotch thereof and linally to cutthe reverse keris on each side of the central kerl, the reverse kerfsbeing formed as the pushers carry the clothespin blanks over a pair ofparallel saw blades,

extending practically the full length oi the nlachine, beyond thebroach. Y

In a machine of this character, it is neces` sary that the clothespinblanks are it'ed to and through the machine, with the heads in the samerelative position, and a further object of our improvement is to providedelivery mechanism and rectifying means for delivering successiveclothespin blanks in upright position singly and in front of thecontinuously moving pusher bars.

The mechanisms for'carrying out these and other objects are moreparticularly shown in the accompanying drawing, representing one form ofour improved clothespin machine. Fig. l represents a longitudinalsectional view partly in side elevation, the partial section being takenalong the Vline lhl of Fig. S; Fig. 2 shows a` Vclothespin blank and thesuccessive steps to the 'finished clothespin; Fig. 3 is a top plan viewof the machine; Fig. etis an enlarged broken away vertical sectionalview, substantially on the line 4 4 of Fig. S; Fig. 5 is a horizontalsectional view oitI the escapement mechanism on the line 55 of Fig. 4;Fig. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of the escapement drivemechanism, with parts broken away; Fig. 7 is a detail in perspective ofthe safety connection in the blank delivery device; Fig. 8 is anenlarged broken away plan view of the machine, more particularly showingthe escapement and rectifying devices; Fig. 9 is a perspective view otthe rectifying guides and delivery grooves; Fig. 10 is a plan view ofthe rectifying guides and grooves, Fig. l1 is a broken away detail ofthe ends of the delivery grooves, and the centeringguides, associatedwith the circular saw; Fig. 1la is a detaill view of the centeringguides removed from ytheir support; Fig. 12 is a broken away verticalsectional view of the lett end of the machine, showing the clothespinblank delivery mechanism and devices associated with the circular saw;Fig. 13 is a partial sectional view of the clothespin blank drum on theline 13-13 oi Fig. 12; Fig. lll shows, in perspective, a few of theperipheral plates and the door construction oit the clothespin blankdrum; Fig. 15 represents a partial vertical section, through thecircular saw, substantially on the line 15-15 of Fig. 1; Figs. 16, 17and 18 represent vertical transverse sections of the -lil breach and sawblades for cutting the reverse kerfs, and their support, the sectionsbeing taken respectively, on the lines 16v-1G, 1?-17 and 18-18 of Fig.1; Fig. 19 shows a broken away perspective of the reverse kerf sawblades and their support; Fig. 20 shows, in perspective, Jroken awaydetails of various devices associated with the circular saw; Fig. 21shows a perspective of the first step of operation on the clothespinblank liust passing over the circular saw; Fig. 22 is a perspective viewshowing the second step or operation of breaching the crotch of thecentral kerf; Fig. 23 shows, in

^ perspective, the third step in the operation,

wherein the reverse zerfs are cut by the tapering saw blades and Fig.shows a perspective of one of the pusher bars and associated parts.

Referring to the drawings, it will be seen that our improved machinepreferably comprises an elongated bed mounted upon legs r standards 1,the bed preferably comprising parallel side-bars or rails 2, which maybe connected together by suitable transverse ribs or shoulder bolts 3,as shown in Figs. 1 and 3 of the drawings. The side rails 2 of the bedprovide supports for the various parts of the machine, including`bearings for transverse shafts 4 and 5, which are located at the ends ofthe bed rails 2L Each of the shafts Il and 5 is provided with twosprocket wheels 6, secured to the respective shafts and carrying endlesssprocket chains 7, the chains being located at each sid-e of themachine, adjacent the side rails 2. A transverse shaft 8 is also mountedin bearings supported by the side rails 2, and carries a circular saw 9for cutting the central kerf of clothespin blanks. as hereinafterdescribed. The shaft 8 is preferably provided with a pulley 10, at oneend (see Fig. 3), which is driven by a belt 11 from a motor 12, or anyother suitable source of power. The shaft 8 is also provided with apulley 13 at its other end. which is connected by a belt 1e, with apulley 15 mounted on a shaft 1G, as indicated in Fig. 3 of the drawings.The pulley 15 is adapted to drive the sprocket wheel shaft 4l, throughintermediate reducing gears 17 and 18, the arrangement being` such thatthe sprocket chains are moved continuously longitudinally of the machine(from left to right as seen in Figs. 1 and 8), at a uniform rateand at aspeed considerably less than the speed, of rotation of the circular saw9.

The finished clothespins require a flaring or V-shaped opening at `thelower ends of the legs, so as to 'facilitate entrance of theclothesline, and in `our present machine, it found. desirable tomakethis bevel cut v means of cutters 19,rnounted on each side of thecircular saw 9 in suitable openings 2O in the latter, as moreparticularly shown in Figs. 1 and 15 of the drawings.

After cutting the central kerf and the bevels at the lower ends thereof,by means of the circular saw 9 and cutters 19, it is desirable, aspreviously stated, to widen the crotch of the central kerf to provideshoulders to facilitate the entry of and properly starting the sawblades in cutting the reverse kerfs. Accordingly, a breach 21 (see Figs.1 and 22) is mounted on the end of a supporting plate or rail 22, whichis cut away at 23, und-er the breach to provide clearance for the escapeof cuttings from the breach. As shown in the drawings, the breach tapersfrom the width of the central ker-fs, made by the circular-saw, to thewidth required for the entry of the saw blades for cutting the reversekerfs, see view C of the Fig. 2.

Immediately succeeding the breach 21, the supporting plate 22 carriestwo long tapering saw blades 2l, as indicated in Figs. 1 and 16 to 19,these saws being located on each side of the rail plate 22, which ispreferably provided with a cap bar 25, held in place thereon by a tongueand groove, the respective saw blades 2li being` secured to the cap barby nieans of screws 26, as more particularly shown in Fig. 19. It willbe noted that the saws 2l flare out slightly and equally from the lsidewalls of the centrally located rail plate 22, so when the reverse kerfsare cut they forni upwardly extending wedge shaped or tapering tonguesin the legs of the clothespin, as indicated in view D in Fig. 2. Thesupporting cap bar 25 with the combined thickness of the two saws 2li isof such a thickness or 'width as to enter the breached cut at the crotchof the central ker-f, and the entering ends of the saws 2l are adaptedto engage the offset shoulders of the broach cut to start the reversekerfs. As indicated in the drawings, the cutting edges of the taperingsaws 2d extend at an angle to the hacks of the saws, secured to the canlair 25, so that as the clothes pin blanks are pushed longitudinally ofthe saws 24 and bar 25, the latter will ride in the breached crotch,while the tapering cutting` edges of the gradually widening saws 2--lwill cut the reverse kerfs in the legs of the clothes pin. The railplate 22 is preli'crably substantially the thickness of the central kerif, made by the circular saw 9, and obviously in nioring the blankslongitudinally of the saws 24, the latter are apt to bind as the reversekerfs become deeper and, therefore, in order to relieve this pressure orbinding, the rail plate 22 is preferably cut away on cach side at 27 toprovide parallel longitudinal shoulders or ribs 28, lying slightlyabovel the cutting edges of the saws 2-/1 and ezitending throughout thelength of the sans,

parallel to their tapering cutting edges. This arrangementis moreparticularly indicated in Figs. 17 to 19.

As previously stated, thc rail pla-te 22 is, in the present instance,approximately the thickness of the Central kerf, cut in the clothes pinblanks by the circular saw 9, and is mounted in the plane of the saw, sothat blanks may be moved successively over the circular saw 9, thebroach 2l and the saw blades 24 in a straight line. For this purpose therail plate 22 is support-ed centrally of the machine, between thesprocket chains 7 by suitable standards or posts 29, which projectupward from cross bars 30, lo'ated transversely of and supported by theside bars or rails 2 of the main frame of the machine.

For continuously feeding blanks through the machine for the successiveoperations of cuttinO the central kerf, the breached crotch and tiereverse kerfs, the continuously driven sprocket chains 7 are preferablyprovided with a plurality of pusher bars 31, the ends of which aresecured to the respective chains 7, the pusher bars being equally spacedthroughout the length of the driving chains, and carried along therebyin parallel relation. In order to maintain the pusher bars 31 inuprightl position and cause them to travel through the top of themachine in a straightline, parallel to the backs of the saw blades 24,or parallel to the cap bar supporting said saws, the. ends of therespective pusher bars are preferably provided with elongated slideplates 32 (sce Fig. 24),which are adapted to slide in grooves 33, cutlongitudinally of strips or bars 34, mounted upon upright postsextending upward from the main frame side rails 2, substantially asindicated in Figs. 4 and 12. In that the sprocket chains 7 are endlessand travel continuously, the pusher slide plates 32 pass out of thegrooves at the right hand end of the machine, as viewed in Fig. l, and,returning under the bed of the machine, are brought again into posit-ionto enter the grooves 33, the ends of the latter are preferably madeV-shaped at 36 to facilitate the proper entry ot' the pusher slides intothe grooves 33.

The pusher bars el, as more particularly shown in Figs. 4 and 24, areprovid-ed with a' vertically disposed U-shaped pusherelement 37, whichis bifurcated at the open end thereof, to straddle the saws and broach.Preferably the legs or lower ends -of the U-shaped pusher element 37 areprovided with inwardly projecting lugs 38, which just clear the saws andthese lugs, as Well as the upper yoke portion of the U-shaped pusherelement, are provided with recesses at 39 and 40 respectively, forcentering and holding the lower and upper ends of the blanks. By thisarrangement it will be seen that the continuously moving pusher bars 31are adapted to move the clothespin blanks from the position indicated inFig. 20, over the circular saw 9, to the-position shown in Fig. 21 andthen to the position shown in Fig. 22, carrying it over the broach 21;and finally over all the way along the saw blades 24, as shown in Figs.1 and 23.- Thus by successive operations on the blank, the finishedclothespins are produced with the central and rew verse kerfs,substantially as shown at D in Fig. 2.

It will be understood that preferably there is a continuous series ofclothespin blanks, passing through the machine to be operated onsuccessively, as previously described, and the number of blanks soope-rated upon in a given time may be determined by the speed of thechain drive mo fing the pusher bars 31 and the spaced relation betweensuccessive pusher bars. In order to provide for a continuous series ofblanks going through the machine and placed in front of succes` sivepusher bars, before or by the time they arrive in front of the circularsaw 9, as indicated in Fig. 20, it is necessary to provide means forreliably delivering suoli blanks singly and in proper synehronism to vbeengaged by the respective pusher bars 31. It is also necessary, indelivering and placing the clothespin l'lanks in front of the pusherbars, that the heads shall be up. To properly insure the delivery andrectification of successive clothespin blanks, we have dcvised specialfeeding and delivering means, the operation of which is synchronizedwith the motion of the pusher bars 31.

In order to supply clothespin blanks to the machine continuously asrequired, a ver 4tically disposed chute 4l is preferably supported abovethe pusher bars, on stamlardsl 42, substantially as indicated in Figs. 4and 12 of the drawings, the thickness of the chute being such that theblanks lie one above another in a single layer. This chute 41 ispreferably kept filled with a predetermined number of blanks by means ola suitable feeding device or hopper. In the present instance, the chute41 is preferably supplied with clcthespin blanks arranged horizontally,so as to drop into the chute in that position, by means of a rotatingdrum 43, supported centrally above the machine and over the chute 41, bya bracket 44, (see Fig. 3). The drum 43 is adapted to be rotated by apulley 45, driven by a belt 46, extending over a pulley 47 on the end ofthe sprocket wheel shaft 5. The drum 43 preferably comprises twocircular discs 48 and 49, between the peripheries of which are mounted aplurality of off-set overlapping plates 50, which are suitably supportedby the discs 48-49 to form the cylindrical peripheral portion of thedrum, with a corresponding plurality of sinuous channels and openingstherein for the release of blanks, to be dropped into the chute 41. Thearrangement of the plates are more particularly shown in perspective inFig. 14. The openings at 51 between the step-like overlapping plates 50are closed by doors 52, for holding the blanks in single file in thesinuons channels between the plates 50 substantially as indicated inFig. 12 of the drawings. At the inner ends of the peripheral plates 50,guide plates 53 are preferably mounted between the disc walls 418-49 forassisting in arranging the blanks in parallelism and directing them intothe channels between the plates 50, where they lie in single fileparallel to the axis of the drinn. The peripheral doors 52 arepreferably provided with operating arms or levers 54 located on theoutside of the drum wall 48, and are here shown as eX- tending beyondthe circumferential edge thereof. The lever arms 54 of the respectivedoors 52 are provided with springs 55, connected therewith in a. mannerto hold the doors closed during rotation of the drum, but permittingrelease of blanks when desired, by the actuation of the lever arms 54.

For opening the doors 52, to release clothespin blanks in position tofall into the vertical chute 41, a trip member 56 is pivotally mountedin bearing backets 57,

'located on the wall of the chute 41, substantripping position, thisbeing accomplished 1n the present instance by the weighted arm 58. Inactual operation of the machine, it is found that 1t rs frequently notrequired to trip successive levers 54 to open the respective doors 52,for in that case, more blanks may be released than arel required to fillthe chute 41. rlherefore, the trip 56 is provided with a downwardlyextending trigger arm 59, which enters a slot 60 in the wall of thechute 41, in position to be engaged by the clothcspin blanks, and whenthe chute 41 contains a predetermined number of blanks, the trigger willbe forcibly held out of the passage of the chute, thereby holding thetrip 56 ont of the path. of the door lever arms 54. lilith the trip 56in this position, the drum vill rotate without releasing blanks untiladditional blanks are required in the chute 41.

As previously explained, the blanks, foi eflicient and continuousoinration of `the niac-hine, are required to be delivered from the chute41 at regular intervals and one at a time. For this purpose, the bottomof the chute is preferably provided with a rotary delivery member 61.controlled by an escapement. The delivery member 61 comprises acylindrical trough vadapted for holding a single blank, as indicated inFig. 4,

and rotatably mounted in bearings 62, the

mounted in the bearing block 64, the latter also serving as a bearingfor the shaft 65, which is connected with the delivery member 61 forrotating it.

The shaft 65, within a cavity in the block 64, is provided with a dog66, adapted to cooperate with a pair of dogs 67, mounted on oppositesides of the shaft 65 on a slide bar 68, which is adapted to Islidehorizontally in slots in the block 64, as indicated in Figs. 4 to 6 ofthe drawings. The shaft- 65 passes through and finds bearing in atubular shaft 69, rotatably supported in a bearing block 70, andprovided at its outer end with a sprocket wheel 71, which, by means of achain 72 and sprocket wheel 7 3, is adapted to be driven from the 'shaft5 of the sporcket wheels 6, carrying the endless chains 7, forming themotive power for the respective pusher bars 3l, which are adapted tomove the clothespin blanks through the machine for the variousoperations thereon.

It will thus be 'seen that in this manner the rotation of the sprocketwheel 71 and tubular shaft 69 is synchronized with the motion of thepusher bars 31 through the machine. The tubular shaft 69 and sprocket 71are connected to the shaft 65 for intermittently rotating the latter andthe delivery member 6l, by means of a coiled spring 74. Rotation of theshaft will be intermittently prevented by the engagen'ient of the dog 66with one or the other of the holding dogs 67, during which time thespring 74 will be wound up. Vin order to rclease the shaft 65, for itsintcrn'iittent rotation of 180, the slide bar 66, carrying the dogs 67,is adapted to be reciproeated by means of an eccentric 75 mounted on thetubular shaft 69 and provided with an eccentric strap 76 on the end of apitman 77 pivotally secured at 78 in one Iend of the slide bar 66, tothereby move the latter transversely of the shaft 66 back and forth onceduring each rm'olution of the sprocket wheel 71. In this manner, thedogs 67 al- CII ternately hold and release the shaft its connectingdelivery member 61 being thus given a half revolution intermittently,while the sprocket wheel 71 i's rotated continuously.

It is found in practice that the clothespin blanks are not always ofuniform diaineter, and on this account or otherwise, the delivery member61 might, at times, be` come jammed, and to prevent damage to themachine, the shaft 65 is preferably connected to the delivery member 61,by a yielding connection, which comprises a flat spring 79, secnred tothe end of the delivery ineinber G1, by means of a screw 81, the end ofthe spring being adapted to engage a flattened portion 82 of the shaftG5, which enters a suitable hole in the end 80 of the delivery member,substantially as lshown in Figs. 4 and 7 of the drawings. 3y thisarrangement, it will be seen that if the delivery member G1 becomesblocked or jammed and fails to respond to normal rotation, the spring 79will be forced upward, permitting` the shaft 05 to rotate without injuryto the mechanism.

As more particularly shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings, the clothespinblanks are assembled in the chute 41, with their heads lying in eitherdirection and it is necessary that they be delivered and positioned infront of the pusher bars 81 in vertical position with their heads up,therefore, specially designed grooved guides or tracks are provided forthis purpose. The transverse supporti'.ig plate 68 is provided with aslot at 83 and immediately below this slot, two substantially verticilgrooves in tracks 84 and 85 are secured and spaced apart, so as to belocated near the ends of the slot 83, in Josition to engage the heads ofelothespin blanks released by the delivery member G1. rllhe grooves inthe track members 84 and 85 are narrower than the body of the blank,thereby7 engaging the neck below the head while the opposite end oit theblank, not being able to enter the other groeve, will cause the blank tocant as the head end moves down its groove. Under the influence ofgravity, the blanks will thus move downward between the tracks 84 and 85at an angle, substantially as indicated by the blanks shown in dottedlines in Fig. 4. The tracks 84 and 85 diverge slightly at their lowerends and the latter are cuived outward into aV horizontal position, sothat as a clotliespin blank falls, with its head cngaged by one of theguide grooves, it will be swung into vertical position, suspended by itshead. One of the blanks is shown in full lines in Fig. 4, just swinginginto vertical position.

The guide grooves in the curved lower ends 86 of the grooved tracks 84and 85 merge with horizontal guide grooves 87 and 88, extendinglengthwise of the machine, parallel to the path of the pusher bars 31.The guide grooves 87 and 88 converge V- like in a track plate 89, asshown more particularly in Figs. 8 to 11 of the drawings. Bridge pieces90 and 91 extend over the guide grooves 87 and 88 for supporting theouter rails of the respective grooves, which converge into a singlegroove at 92. The latter is preferably extended by means of springfingers 93. At the point where the grooves 87 and 88 merge with thesingle grooves 92, it is desirable to have the respective grooves madecontinuous, so as to continuously engage the head and keep the blankfrom dropping, andfor this purpose, a switch member 94 is provided. Thismember 94, as will be seen in Figs. 10 and 11 is formed as awedge-shaped finger, pivoted to the plate 89 at 95, and adapted to bemoved in one direction or the other by the blanks, as they are moved insingly along the respective grooves 87-88. The blanks, after enteringthe horizontal grooves 87-88, are adapted to be moved along the groovesby means of bars 96, secured to the ripper ends of the lugs 37 on thepusher bars 31, as will be seen in Figs. 10 and 11.

rlhe rearward or converging end of the horizontal track plate 89 issupported by a plate 97, to which it is secured by screws 98, engagingthe bridges 91, as more particularly shown in Figs. 8 and 12. The plate97 eX- tends longitudinally of the machine, i1nmediately above thecircular saw 9, and is supported by transverse bars 99 and 100, whichlie above the plate 97 and are supported by posts extending upward fromthe bed eide rails 2. The underside ofthe plate 97, from above the endof the single guide groove 92 to a point beyond the circular saw 9, isrecessed at 101 (see Figs. 12 and 20), and mounted in this recess is agrooved plate 102, which is provided with two upwardly projecting studs103. The studs 103 pass through `holes in the plate 97 and are pivotallyconnected with bell crank-levers 104, rocking in fulcruin brackets 105,secured to the top of the plate 97. The upper ends of the bell cranklevers 104 are connected together by a link 106 to thereby provide aparallel mot-ion device `for moving the grooved plate 102, up and downin parallel relation to the plate 97, by which it is supported.

The longitudinal groove in the movable plate 102 is parallel with andcentrally located with rerference toi a vertical plane through thecircular saw 9, and the heads of clothespin blanks. under the push ofpusher bars 31, are adapted to enter the groove of the plate 102 as theyleave the track groove 92 between the spring fingers 93, substantiallyas shown in Figs. 12 and 20.` A spring 107, connected to the end of thelink 106 and to a fixed pin 108, is adapted to resiliently hold thegroove plate 102, in contact or engagement with the head of the blank.

Lying parallel to the plate 97, below it, and provided with a slitthrough which the circular saw projects, there is mounted a table orplatform 109, adapted to engage the lower ends of clothespin blanks, asthey move out o'l the single guide groove 92 and throughout theirengagement with and passage over the circular saw 9 `for cutting thecentral kerf. The resilient groove plate 102, pressing down on the headsof blank, is therefore, adapted to hold successive blanks in contactwith the saw table 109 and provide 'for any slight variation in thelengths ot the blanks.

'Although the blanks carried along by the respective pusher bars 31 arecentered in the sockets 39 and 10 in the U-shaped lugs 37, it isdesirable to insure correct |centering oi the lower ends of the blankson the table 109 betere the blanks are actually brought into engagementwith the circular saw 9. For this purpose, a pair of guide plates 110 ismounted on the forward end of the table 109, as more particularly shownin F ig. 11 of the drawings. These guide plates are arranged to slidelaterally and longitudinally by angular tongue and groove or pin andslot connections at 111, the arrangement being such that as the guideplates 110 are forced angularly outward and rearward, the spacetherebetween will widen, while the guides hold the lower end of theblank centrally with respect to the circular san7 9. In order that thetwo guide plates 110 shall move simultaneously and to the same eX- tent,they are connected together by interlocking` brackets 112, secured tothe respective plates and in sliding engagement on the underside of thesaw table 109, (see Figs. it and 11). Springs 112 connected to theplates 110 and to the plate 109 tend to contract the plates 110together.

The operation of the machine will be understood trom the descriptionthus far given, and it will be seen that as the clothespin blanks arereceived and straightened in the drum a3, they will be releasedtherefrom, one at a time, and drop into the chute 11, from which theywill be delivered singly by the intermittent rotation ot the deliverymember G1, controlled by the escapement (S0-0i', which, as previouslyexplained, is ope ated intermittently in synchronism with the chaindriven pusher bars 31. rlhe blanks, as released by the delivery member01, will drop downward and according to the direction of the head, thelatter will enone or the other o the guide grooves in the upright tracksSee-85. The blank will then fall by gravity and be swung into verticalposition in front of one ot.' the pusher bars 31a where it will beengaged by the transverse pusher plate 96, and carried along one or theother o'i the horizontal track grooves 37-33 into the central groove 92.At this pointthe blank A becomes seated in the centering sockets 39 and410, and

further movement o1 the pusher bar carries the blank on to the table109, where its lower end is centered by the guides 110, as the headenters the groove in the resilient guide plate 102. Further movement ofthe pusher bar 31 carries the blank over the circular saw 9, to form thecentral kerl 113 and the bevel 114 at the lower' ends thereof', as shownat B on Fig. 2. The thin enc et the broach 21 then enters the crotch oitthe kerl 113 and further movement ot the pusher bar 31 forces the blankover the broach and forms the shouldered wide crotch, as shown at 115 inthe view C in Fig. 2. 1t will be understood that the pusher bars 31 movecontinuously, and immediately after the blank as shown at C in Fig. 2,passes ofi' of the broach 21, the narrow ends oit the saws 24 will enterthe widened opening 115 and engage the shoulders thereof on each side ofthe central kerl" 113. Continuef movement now oi the pi'isher bar 31carries the clothespin blank longitudinally oi" the saws 241, the blankbeing held down to the crotch by the action ot the cutting edges of thesaws, which thereby produce the rcverse kerfs 11G, as shown at l) inFig. 2. The completed clothespin, as shown at l) in Fig. 2, is thusprovided with inwardly projecting` resilient tongues 117 on each side otthe central kerf 113., Clothespins after completion pass ott the ends oi"the saws 2st and drop by gravity and may be collected in any suitablemanner.

iVhile we have shown and described one form of our improved clothespinmachine,

it will be understood that we do not wish to be limited to the specific'construction shown, for obviously various modifications may be made inthe details thereo't and in the arrangement and adaptation of variousfeatures of construction, without departing form the spirit and scope otthe invention.

life claim 1. A clothespin machin@ comprising a centrally arranged saw'tor cutting a central kerit in clothespin blanks, a. pair or stationarylongitudinally extending saws for cutting reverse kerifs troin thecrotch ot the center kerf down each leg ot the clothespin, one of saidpair ot saws being arranged en each side of the plane oi the saidcentral saw, and a poweiwlriven member for moving the clothespin blanksover said saws to produce the respective keriis.

2. A clothespin machine, comprising` a circular saw 'for cutting acentral kerl in clothespin blanks, a pair of longitudinally extendingsaws uniformly spaced apart throughout their length, one on each sidella.'

of the plane of said circular saw, for cutting reverse kerfs from thecrotch of the central kerf down each leg of the pin, and power drivenpusher element-s for moving the clothespin blanks over said saws.

3. A clothespin machine, comprising a circular saw for cutting thecentral kerf in clothespin blanks, cutters carried by said saw forbeveling and flaring outward the lower end walls of said central kerf, abroach for increasing the width of said kerf at the crotch thereof, apair of tapering saw blades adapted to enter said breached cut at thecrotch, for cutting` a revei'se kerf down each leg of the pin, and poweractuat ed pushers for moving clothespin blanks over said circular saw',said broach and said pair of saw blades in succession.

4f. A clothespin machine, comprising a plurality of uniformly spacedpusher elements, adapted to be moved continuously for moving clothespinblanks uniformly through the machine, a chute for holding a supply ofsaid blanks, means operated in synchronism with said pusher elements forreleasing blanks singly from said chute, and means for placing' saidreleased blanks in upright position in front of said pusher elements insuccession as the latter pass under said chute.

5. The clothespin machine as claimed in claim 4:, in which said meansfor placing released blanks in front of said pusher elements comprisesmeans engaging the heads of said blanks "for rectifying them, as they.

fall by gravity, so that they are placed before said pusher elementswith the heads up.

6. The clothespin machine, as claimed in claim 4, in which said meansfor releasing blanks from said chute comprises a rotatable deliveryelement for releasing said blanks one at a time.

In a clothespin machine, the combination with means for positively anduniformly moving a succession of single clothespin blanks in a straightline through the machine, of a circular saw against and over which thesuccessive blanks are moved for cutting central kerfs therein, aplatform ex* tending on each side of said saw, parallel to the directionof mot-ion of the blanks. said platform heilig adapted to engage thelower ends of said blanks and support them as they are carried over thesaw, and means for holding the blanks in engagement with said platform.

8. The clothespin machine as claimed in claim 7, in which the receivingend of said platform is provided with centering guides for centering theblank with respect to the saw.

9. The clothespin machine as claimed in claim 7, in which said means forholding the blanks in engagement with said platform comprises a groovedplate mounted over said saw and parallel with said platform, the -groovein said plate being adapted to engage the heads of the blanks, andresilient means is provided for urging said plate toward said plat-formto thereby hold the blanks in contact with the latter as they pass overthe saw.

l0. In a clothespin machine, the combination of a plurality of pusherbars, adapted to be moved longitudinally of the machine in equallyspaced succession, means for feeding clothespin blanks singly and inupright position in front of successive pusher bars to be carried alongthereby, each pusher bar being provided with a socket for engaging andcentering the blanks, a saw for cutting central kerfs'in the blanks asthey are moved along by said pusher bars, and a pair of saws for cuttingreverse kerfs on each side of the central kerf, the last named kerfsextending downward into the legs of the pin to thereby form upwardlyprojecting resilient tongues on each side of the central kerf.

l1. In a clothespin machine, the combination witha circular saw forcutting central kerfs in clothespin blanks, a table for supporting theblanks as they are moved over said saw, a pair of'opposed centeringguide plates movably mounted at the entering end of said table, forcentering the clothespin blanks with respect to the saw, meansconnecting said plates to adapt both of them to expand away from eachother in unison equal distances from the central plane of the saw whenan expanding force is exerted upon either of them, and means tending tocontract the plates together.

12. In a clothespin machine, the combination with a circular saw, forcutting central kerfs in clothespin blanks, a table for snpporting theblanks as they are moved over the saw, a plate mounted above said sawand provided with a groove central of and parallel to the plane of saidsaw, said plate being adapted -for movement toward and from said tablein parallel relation thereto, a spring for urging said plate toward thetable, to thereby hold said blanks in contact with the latter, and meansfor moving the blanks along said table and over said saw.

13. In a clothespin machine, the combination with saws for cuttingcentral and reverse kerfs in clothespin blanks, of means forcontinuously moving a series of blanks over said saws, a. chute forholding blanks for delivery one at a time, in horizontal position, apair of vertically grooved guides for receiving blanks from said chute,said vertical grooves being adapted to engage the heads of the blanks,so that they may swing into upright position by gravity, horizontalguides provided with grooves merging with the respective verticalgrooves, said horizontal grooves converging into a single groove. thearrangement being such that blanks released trom said chute, with headsin either direction, will be rectified and pass into one or the other otsaid horizontal grooves suspended by the head, means associated withsaid continuously moving means for engaging the blanks so positioned andmoving them along the respective horizontal grooves into the singlegroove, and means tor holding said blanks in centered position afterthey leave said single groove.

14. In a clothespin machine, the combination with a chute `t'orreceiving and holding clothespin blanks, of a rotating blank deliverymember at the bottom of said chute, means for rotating said memberintermittently, an escapement lor holding said member against rotation,power means tor actuating said escapement to release said member forintern'iittent rotation, means vtor moving blanks, delivered trom saidchute, through the machine, and connections between said last namedmeans and said escapement power means for synchronizing the movementsthereof.

15. The clothespin machine as claimed in claim 14, in which means isprovided between said escapement and the rotating delivery member of thechute tor permitting rotation of said intermittently rotating meansindependently of said delivery member, in case the latter should becomeclogged by said blanks.

1G. In a clothespin machine, the combination of a saw for cuttingcentral kerfs in successive clothespin blanks fed through the machine, apair of tapering saw-blades eX- tending longitudinally of the machinefor cutting reverse kerfs on each side of the central kerf, a rail platebetween and supporting said saw-blades, said rail plate being providedwith shoulders following the taper cutting edges of the saw-like blades,the thickness at said shoulders being substantially the width ot saidcentral ker, whereby the pressure is relieved on the tongues formed assaid reverse kerts are cut.

1T. A machine for performing a shaping operation upon clothespin blankscomprising shaping means, means to leed blanks to said shaping meansupright and in spaced relation, ar chute adapted to hold blanks in ahorizontal position, a rotatable member adapted to release the blanksone at a time from the chute, means operated in synchronism with saidblank-feeding means adapted to rotate said rotatable memberintermittently to release a. blank, and means to place the releasedblank in an upright position and deliver it to the said feeding means.

18. A clothespin machine comprising a pair of longitudinally extendingstationary saws uniformly spaced apart throughout their length andadapted for cutting kers from the crotch of the central kerf down eachleg of the pin to produce iiexible tongues, power driven means formoving the pin along said saws, and means for guiding the pin in itsmovement along the saws and maintaining its legs in proper relation tothe saws.

19. A clothespin machine comprising a breach supported in a likedposition and adapted for increasing the width oi the central kert ot thepin at its crotch, a pair ot' longitudinally extending saws supported iniXed positions spaced apart throughout their length and adapted to entersaid broached cut at the crotch ttor cutting a reverse kerf down eachleg of the pin, and power driven .means for moving the pin along saidbroach and along said pair ot saws tor the broaching and cuttingoperations.

20. In a machine for performing a shaps ing operation upon headedclothespin blanks, the combination ot shaping means, means for holdingblanks and delivering them one at a time in horizontal position, a pairof vertically. grooved guides :tor receiving blanks from said holdingmeans, said vertical grooves being adapted to engage the heads o1 theblanks so that tney may swing into upright position by gravity,horizontal guides provided with grooves merging with the respectivevertical grooves, said horizontal grooves converging into a single "7groove, the arrangement being such that blanks released from the saidholding means with heads in either direction will be rectified and passinto one or the other oit said horizontal grooves suspended by the head,

and means for engaging the blanks so positioned and moving them alongthe respective horizontal grooves into the single groove and to the saidshaping means.

21. 1n a clothespin machine the combination of means for positivelymoving a succession of single clothespins in a straight line and inspaced relation, and a pair of saws mounted in tired positions andextending longitudinally in the path of i'i'iovement ot the pins, saidsaws being spaced apart throughout their length and adapted td cutreverse kcrfs 'from the crotch ot the cent ral kerf oi" each pin down`nach. leg thereoi3 during the said movement ot the pins.

22. A machine ior cutting a reverse kerl" from the crotch down one orIthe legs ot a clothespin ycomprising a stationary saw adapted to enterthe crotch of the clothespin, and means for moving the pin along the sawin a straddling relation thereto to form said kerf.

23. A machine for cutting a reverse kei-t from the crotch down one ofthe legs ot a clothespin comprising a stationary tapered saw adapted toenter the crotch ot' the clothespin, said saw increasing in depth fromits entering end, and means for moving the pin along the saw instraddling relation thereto to form said kert.

24. A machine i'foi' 'cuttinga reverse lierf from the crotch down ne ofthe legs of. a clthespin, ccmprising means for moving the pin in astraight line, a stationary saw extending loiigitudihally in thepat'h otmove* ment ot the pin and adapted to enter the ciotcli thereetf, andmeans for moif'ing vthe pin along the saw in rstraddling relationthereto to t'orin said hert..

A machine for `cutting ja reverse kert lrm the 'crotch down on'e or theYlegs of av clothespin cbii'ipiising a stationary brach adaptedy forenlarging the opening at the crotch ot thepin', a stationary saw adaptedto enter said lnfiiacli'ed out crotch bf the pin,

and means for n'i'oving the pin along the breach' and along the saw instraddllng: relation thereto in succession to form said leert. Y y

26. A machine tor 'cutting reverse lerfs down the Ilegs of aclot-heispin comprisinga pair 'et stationary lbngitudinally extendingsaws spaced apart throughout their length and divergiiig tra'iisveseiy,4and i'neans :lor moving a elothespin longitudia'lly along the saws instraddling relation thereto te form sai-.d lerfs.

Q7. A machine for` cutting reverse herrieV down the ot a 'clcthespin'comprising a pair et stationary saws adapted to enter the crotch ot',the pin, andl a pusher element lnovable along said saws 'and adapted tocarry 1the pin with it along 'the saws in straddling relation to thfemto iorm said kterfs', the' said pusher Yelement being yt'crm'edtofst'raddle the saws and engage the l'egs oi the pin. l

SQ A nfia'cliih'e ter `cuttingreverse lierifs down the legs of aclnthespin, comprising means for moving thev pin' along astraiglitline,;a p'aii'` of stationary saws extendingrlongitudinally in the pathof movement of the pin, said saws divergiiig. transversely and said'pi-ii-ihbviilg means'. beingadapted to move the piil loligitudiiiallyalong the saws in straddling relation thereto to form said y kerfs.

29. A machine for cutting reverse le-rfs down the legs of a clothespincomprising a pair of longitudinally extending stationary saws spacedapart throughout their length, and means for moving a clothespin alongsaid saws in straddling relation thereto and in a straight line to formsaid kers, the longitudinal cutting edges of the saws ex tending alonglines inclined with relation to the path of the pin, whereby the kerfswill be cut through the legs from the crotch of the pin toward the :treeends of the legs as the pin is moved along the saws.

30. Ainachine for cutting reverse ker'l'fs down the legs of a clothespinto form tongues extending upwardly at the inner sides oit the legs, saidmachine comprising :i pair of saw blades tapering in depth, a stationarylongitudinally extending straight rail plate lccate'd between ,saidsaws-land supporting them with. their sawjedges siiacedpoutwardly fromthe opposite. lside faces ot the plate, 'and ineanslor movinga sides otthe legs oi tliepin below the cut ting edgesv ot the saw blades andguide the pin as it is moved llengtlie saws, and. the. plate beingnarrowed above the cutting edgesof the saws to provide clearance for thesaid tongues ast-hey are 'formed'. c

3l. A. machine 'for cutting reverse lierts dowii the oi" ay elothespincomprising a pair ot saw blades tapering in width; a sta tionaryloi'igitudinally straight rail plate between said saws and supporting`them in transversely diverging positions with their. cutting edgesspaced from the opposite faces et the plate, and means-'tor moving ayclothe. f pin along said 'sa-ws in straj'ddling relation thereto t formthe said krfs, the said rail platel being formed to Contact the innersides of the legs of the pin belwthe 'cutting edges of the saw bladesvto guide the pin as it is moved alcngthe saws;

,A machine for ciittingreverse lierfs down the legs of a clothes'pincomprising al pair ot longitudinally extending stationary saws spacedapart throughouttheir length,

and ine'afns for moving a; clothespin along said saws in straddlingrelation thereto' and in a straight ,line to ornl said lze'r'is, thelongitudinaly cutting. edges ot'i the saws extending alongy linesinc-lined with relation to the Jath of the iin and theysaws diver@-v ingtransversely, wllereby the kerits willhe cut from the cretch ofthe pindownwardly in diverging directions as the pin is inved along the saws;

33; A; machine tor cutting reverse kerits down the legs ofi aclothespin,comprising a stationary breach,` a pair ol stationary sawblades located in alinementL with said broach and tapering in width,means for moving a clothespin along the breach and the saws instraddling relation to them, and means to guide the pin in its movementand maintain the legs thereof in proper relation to the saw blades, thesaid broach being adapted to enlarge the opening atthe crotch of thepin, and the tapered saws being spaced apart and adapted to have theirnarrow ends `enter the broachedout crotch in position to start thecutting oft said kerts, whereby as the pin is moved over the length ofthe saws the kerts will be formed.

84. ln a elothespin machine the combination of means for positivelymoving a succession ofclothespins in a straight line and in spacedrelation, broaching means mounted in a {iXed position in the path ofmovement of the pins and adapted as each pin is moved over it toincrease the width out the central llO kerf thereofat its crotch, and apair of saws mounted in lixedpositions and extending longitudinally inthe'path of movement ci the pins, said saws being spaced apartthroughout their length and adapted as each pin is moved over them toenter the said broached opening and cut reverse kert's down each leg ofthe pin.

35. A machine for cutting reverse kerls down the legs of a clothespin,comprising means for moving a clothespin in a straight line, and a pairof saws mounted in lined positions extending longitudinally in the pathof movement of the pin and spaced outwardly transversely at oppositesides of a central line, said saws being adapted to enter the crotch ofthe pin and cut reverselerts down each leg thereof during said movementof the pm.

86. A machine for cutting reverse kerits down the legs of a clothespincomprising a pair of saw blades tapering in width, a longitudinallystraight rail plate between said saws and supporting them intransversely diverging positions with their cutting edges spaced fromthe opposite faces of the plate, and means for moving a clothespinalongsaid saws in straddling relation thereto to form the said keris, thesaid rail plate being termed to contact the inner sides ot the legs ofthe pin below the cutting edges ot the saw blades to guide the pin as itis moved along the saws.

37. A machine for cutting reverse kerts down the legs of a clothespincomprising a breach, a pair of saw blades located in alinement with saidbroach and tapering. in width, means for relatively moving a clothespinalong t-he breach and along the saws in straddling relation to them, andmeans to maintain the legs of the pin in proper relation to the sawblades, the said broach being adapted to enlarge the opening at thecrotch of the pin` and the tapered saw blades being spaced apart andadapted to have their narrow ends enter the broached out crotch inpositions to start the cutting ot the lierfs whereby as the pin isrelatively moved lengthwise of the blades the kerfs will be cut.

38. A machine for cutting a reverse kerl down one of the legs of aclothespin, comprising a. longitudinally extending saw blade adapted atone end to enter the crotch ot the pin, means for supporting the pin instraddling relation to the saw blade, means for supporting the saw bladewith its cutting edge directed from the crotch of the pin toward the'free end ot said leg ol liquely with relation to the inner side of theleg, and power driven means to cause a relative movement between the pinand the saw blade in a direction longitudinally or the saw blade to cutsaid kert.

39. A machine for cutting reverse lierfs down the legs of a clothespincomprising a breach, a pair ot tapered saw blades located in alinementwith the broach and increasing in width from the end adjacent thebreach. a longitudinally straight rail plate between said saws andsupporting them in transversely diverging positions with their cuttingedges spaced from the opposite faces oi the plate, and means forrelatively moving he clothespin along the broach and along the saws instraddling relation thereto to form said kerfs, the'broach beingrigidly1 carried by the rail plate and said plate being formed tocontact the inner sides of the legs of the pin below the cutting edgesof the saw blades to guide the pin as itv is relatively moved along thesaws. i

In testimony whereof we hereunto aliix our signatures this 9th day ofFebruary.

HENRY J. KAI-IRS. PETER E. SCHNEIDER. CHRISTIAN BODRI.

